U.s. House Candidate Blasts Drug Prices

Lake - In Brief

August 14, 2002

CLERMONT -- U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman, D-Dunnellon, made a campaign stop in Clermont on Tuesday morning, blasting the high cost of prescription drugs in front of about two dozen doctors, reporters and seniors.

Speaking at the Pill Box Pharmacy, Thurman cited a study she commissioned showing U.S. prices for popular prescription drugs are much higher than prices in other countries. Thurman has proposed requiring pharmaceutical companies to keep their drug prices close to an average of other countries, such as Canada, England and Germany.

Thurman has been the 5th District representative for 10 years, but she will face a host of challengers in November, including one of two Republican candidates. State Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, and health-care consultant Don Gessner of Lecanto will meet in the Sept. 10 primary.